The War that Ends the World

mICHAEL jACKSON


Jacob was running through the scorched battlefield. His beloved hover-scooter ran out of energy two miles back, but he had to make it to the shuttle. Suddenly, six missiles shot over his head from the west heading towards the east. He doesn't know exactly what is going on, but he does know that this is the "War of the World." World War III and World War IV passed years ago, but this is different. Some dispute has been going on between the western and eastern hemispheres, and they are in an all out nuclear war. Visions of Jacob's parents being taken away by soldiers suddenly flashed in his head, but he was brought back into reality when another set of missiles came the opposite direction. He dove into a crater created by some sort of nuclear bomb, and covered his head. He could feel the rumble of the explosion on the ground, and dirt piled upon his head. After what seemed like ages, he popped his head back up and searched for others. He saw no one, which didn't make any sense. He couldn't be the only one heading for the shuttle. The last words he remembers from his Dad was "Go West to the shuttle!" If this were true, wouldn't there be others going the same direction? The shuttle is what will get everybody away from Earth and into the newfound Capital on the Moon. 
 




There is no time for Jacob to stop running, so he gets back up and continues his laborious "journey." Just as he makes it to the edge of a forest, he sees a Mission Plane fly over his head. This means the other troops are right behind. He frantically searches for a place to hide, and begins to climb up the highest tree. The screaming of a Hover Tank cruising at over 100MPH is heard, and then Jacob sees the Monster. There are over 400 men and women on the tank, brainwashed to do whatever their respective side tells them to do. Jacob, like many kids do, thought to himself "There are a thousand of them! I can't get out of here!" The Tank recklessly runs over anything in its path, and it seems as if it is coming right to Jacob. Jacob sees this, and without thinking he hurls himself to the next tree, and climbs in the canopy of the forest like he had seen some animal do on his grandfather's DVD's. He turns around, and sees his old tree get crushed by the tank. He glances at the blank faces of soldiers, only being able to do what they are programmed to do. After what seemed like years, Jacob falls out of the tree and sprints the same way he was going. He bursts through a Giant Spider's web, but doesn't acknowledge it. All he can think of is the shuttle and its freedom.


He breaks free from the forest into another dead wasteland. He looks on the horizon, and faintly sees a large, white figure. Believing it is the shuttle, Jacob picks up his pace with his new adrenaline. Unfortunately, he trips on a small hole and is dazed. He smells the burning of a fire, and he quickly looks back. Everything that he can see behind him is lit into flames. More planes and missiles fly in the air, and some crash together on sight. He is stuck in the middle of the war. Without thinking, Jacob scuttles forward, trying to be oblivious to the world. He grows tired, but he knows that he has to work this one time like he has never worked before. More missiles scream. More eruptions of bombs are heard and felt in the distance. The white figure that was looming on the horizon is growing bigger, and Jacob can finally make it out: it is the last shuttle. With the last energy he has, he sprints as fast as he can towards the ship.... 



"BOOM!"



Jacob is flung into the air by a nuclear mine. Apparently soldiers were following him, and they set off the trap. Jacob received the end of the blow. He faintly looks up, covered in sweat, dirt, and blood, and is within a fourth of a mile from the shuttle. Painfully, he steps up, and quickly notices a deserted, mini Jet-like vehicle. Without thinking, he hops into the jet and takes off. Screams and swears are hurled at him from the soldiers, but he doesn't care: he will make it to the shining beacon of hope. After less than 45 seconds of traveling, he hears the yells of other civilians, and the shuttle crew. He desperately cries "WAIT!", and he sees some faces glance his way. He lifts the jet up into the sky so he can reach the entrance. When he is within reach, Jacob throws himself off the jet onto the boarding deck. Confused crew look at him for a second, and then realize the severity of the moment. He is rushed into the shuttle, seconds before the airtight gate closes and the shuttle erupts.


The shuttle breaks through the satellite-covered atmosphere into space. Jacob, on a stretcher, faintly hears "You are now free to walk around the cabin." Emergency crews are hovered around him, doing some sort of work. With a newfound strength, he pushes them off, and limps toward the window as the other passengers are with looks of worry. Suddenly, Jacob sees a discoloration on the Earth's face where the shuttle took off. A discoloration the size of the entire grassland. With passing seconds, the color turns to orange and red. Many more discolorations appear on the surface of the Earth in random spots, with each one being bigger. Jacob realizes these discolorations are nuclear explosions. No one survives those. It is the War that Ends the World. Jacob collapses, and the last thing he remembers is crying, and being pulled away from the window by dozens of ER workers...